Community News
REST Centres offers practical solutions to address unhoused youth crisis among Black youth in Peel
BY PAUL JUNOR
The issue of homelessness among youth is one that has serious long-term: social, mental, physical and emotional consequences.
A housing report by The Peel Region revealed that:
- The need for 20,000 new housing units by 2028, which translates to an estimated 2,000 affordable housing units a year
- Only 647 of 14,997 households on waiting list have been provided housing
Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transformation (REST,) is a non-profit organization that is driven to tackle this societal issue head-on in the Peel Region. Dagma Koyi founded it on July 23rd, 2015, who also serves as Executive Director. According to its Facebook page, it is a “Black-led BIPOC-serving charitable organization on a mission to end youth homelessness in Peel region. We provide transitional housing and support services.”
I interviewed Dagma on Friday, December 30th, and she told me that her organization is the only Black-led, Black-serving, Black-focused (B3) one in the GTA that provides a wide range of services. She reminds me that the issue of homelessness among youth is a complex one with many overlapping issues. This is why she utilizes a multi-pronged approach to tackle root issues. Dagma believes there is a lot of misunderstanding and stereotypes about the issue, which leads to misinformation. Public education and awareness are central to understanding it as a broader issue in the Black community.
Dagma told me of personal situations in which young Black people became homeless because of unforeseen circumstances among the parents such as: death, mental health issues, and incarceration. She states that many people believe that youths become homeless because they are kicked out of their home due to bad behaviour. This is not true from the experiences of the youth that she encounters.
REST Centres believes that homelessness is a complex issue and seeks to utilize holistic support to address it. At the heart of its approach is a housing-first community-driven model to ensure youth have opportunities to obtain viable housing.
REST believes that shelter is a fundamental human right and works to ensure that youth are able to build their lives by obtaining opportunities which will help with stable housing.
The four areas that REST focus on in order to fulfil its mandate include:
- Transitional housing
- Applicant assistance
- Eviction prevent
- Landlord training and support
REST’s flagship program (Bridge of Hope) is the first of its kind offered in the Peel Region. The website describes it as an evidence-based program that offers an alternative to shelters, by matching youth tenants with host families in the community.
The second program that REST offers is titled “Bare Necessities.” This program seeks to address food insecurity. The website notes, “Our ability to meet basic needs like food, personal hygiene and household furnishings are essential to creating a sense of stability in our lives.”
REST also offers a Black Youth Matter Hotline, which arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program offers support to youth dealing with social isolation and facing factors that may lead to homelessness.
Another program is titled “H.E.R.O” (Healing, Emotional Recovery and Opportunity). This program aims to reduce stigma and improve youth mental health through group therapy and professional counselling. At its core, we help youth address the factors that may or have led to homelessness and the impact of personal experience, in order to empower them to shift their mindset, stories, and future outlook.
REST drew attention to the issue of homelessness during Homeless Awareness Week that was held during the second week of November. It is a week when people come together to raise awareness about homelessness issues. This is frequently accomplished through fundraising and participation in advocacy events.
Anyone interested in learning about REST can check out its social media platforms:
Website:https://www.restcentres.org/home
Instagram: restcentres
Facebook:REST CENTRES
Twitter:@restcentre